Wonderful little group of five rare discourses by Robert J. Breckinridge [1800-1871]. Breckinridge was from a prominent Kentucky family; booted out of Princeton for fighting, he had a profound conversion to Christ in the late 1820's. He ended up studying under Samuel Miller and played an important role in the relationship of the Presbyterian church to the Old & New School Controversy.

More importantly to the current lot, he was a prominent Presbyterian, active in politics, and living in Kentucky. A decided anti-slavery man, he was in favor of preservation of the union, gradual emancipation, and colonization to Liberia. As the Civil War began, he threw in full with Abraham Lincoln on full emancipation and played a critical role in a border Union / Confederate State, and in the influential Presbyterian communities. 

He was so influential that he became Chair of the Republican National Convention in 1864 and headed the re-nomination of Abraham Lincoln to a second term. At the time, he gave a speech which was noted by many as the most inspiring piece of oratory they had ever heard. 

The present lot comes by descent through the family; all are scarce. 

1. Breckinridge, R. J. Discourse of R. J. Breckinridge, D. D. Delivered at Lexington, KY., January, 4, 1861, The Day of National Humiliation. Cincinnati. Faran & McLean. 1861. 23pp.

Deals almost exclusively with slavery, this just months before the beginning of the Civil War.

2. Breckinridge, Robert J. The Great Deliverance and the New Career. An Oration Delivered at Union College in Schenectady, N.Y., on the 25th of July, 1865. 32pp.

Again, almost exclusively on the Civil War, just on the heals of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Very good with fold to title. 

3. Breckinridge, Robert J. Our Country: Its Peril and Deliverance. From Advance Sheets of the Danville Quarterly Review, for March, 1861. Cincinnati. Office of the Danville Review. 1861. 43pp.

The most important of the group; prescient. Corners turned, but very good.

4. Breckinridge, Robert J. A Letter from Rev. Robert J. Breckinridge, D. D., Concerning "A North Carolina Pastor." Philadelphia. Joseph M. Wilson. 1858. 8pp. 

Some chipping, but complete; inscribed by a family member, 1864. This the only work not about slavery and the Civil War.

5. Breckinridge, Robert J. The Nation's Success, and Gratitude. The Substance of a Discourse Delivered in Danville, KY., on November 26, 1863, on the Day of National Thanksgiving and Prayer. Cincinnati. Gazette Steam Printed House. 1863. 13pp

On slavery and the Civil War. Faded with turned corners, but good +.